The Older Adult Driver

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the absolute number of crashes is the lowest in older drivers; however, the crash rate per mile driven puts older drivers at the highest risk age group. The author points out that the increase in crashes is not due to age itself but to the increase in detrimental health conditions and common changes associated with age, such as visual impairment, chronic disease, and prescription and over-the-counter medications. The paper relates that, because these changes do not cause a decline in the ability to drive for everyone and usually occur gradually over time at different rates for each person, the physician can evaluate if it is safe for an individual to drive. The author states that, driving cessation can have detrimental effects on an individual. Thus, the goal of the physician should be to identify treatable causes while still allowing the patient to maintain mobility and independence.

From the Paper:

"New methods have recently been developed in an attempt to assess drivers. Driving simulators provide an artificial environment for drivers to navigate in, allowing an assessment to be done on driving ability. On-the-road testing is typically the traditional approach. A specialist in older adults usually does this and the focus is on reaction time, speed of turning, judgment, and visual scanning and attention. Safety and reliability issues are not easy to see in this type of test though. A new test called Assessment of Driving-Related Skills (ADReS) has been developed to evaluate drivers."

Sample of Sources Used:

• American Medical Association and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. (2003). Physician's guide to assessing and counseling older drivers CD-ROM. [CD-ROM]. Chicago, Illinois
• Azad, N., Byszewski, A., Amos, S., & Molnar, F.J. (2002). A survey of the impact of driving cessation on older drivers. Geriatrics Today, 5 170-174.
• Beers, M.H. (Ed.). (2004). Health & Aging. New York: Ballantine Books.
• Carr, D.B. (2000). The older adult driver. American Family Physician, 61 (1), 141-148.
• Frank, C., Hoffman, J., & Dickey, D. (2003). Assessing the older driver: The role of a geriatric in-patient. Geriatrics Today, 6, 85-89.

More papers on The Older Adult Driver:

• Research Proposal # 100888 : "Transportation Mobility and Older Adults"
• Term Paper # 128097 : "Health Promotion in the Older Adult"
• Essay # 55028 : "Erectile Dysfunction in the Older Adult Male"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: